Honeydew Allergy

Honeydew melon causes allergies in some people.

Image Credit: margouillatphotos/iStock/Getty Images The honeydew is a large, yellow melon with moist, sweet flesh. Although it is rather uncommon to have an allergy to honeydew melon, they do occur, according to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. Consult an allergist to determine if you have an allergy to honeydew or other types of melon. People with food allergies often are allergic to more than one type of food or allergen. Do your best to completely avoid the fruit if you have an allergy to honeydew melon.

  Advertisement
 Prevalence

You can be allergic to virtually any food. While children sometimes “outgrow” allergies, adults, for the most part, do not. If you have an allergy to honeydew melon, avoid fruit juices and salads that contain the ingredient. Food allergies are somewhat unusual — about 3 to 4 percent of adults have one or more food allergies, according to the Mayo Clinic. Rarely, a severe condition called anaphylaxis can occur during an allergy, which requires emergency medical attention.

  Advertisement
 
  Video of the Day
  Oral Allergy Syndrome

If you are allergic to honeydew melon, you may need to avoid ragweed pollen, cantaloupe, watermelon and tomatoes as well. This is due to a pollen-food allergy syndrome, sometimes called “oral allergy syndrome.” This cross-reactivity occurs because the allergen-causing proteins in ragweed and honeydew melon are similar, notes the Mayo Clinic. Consult your allergist to test your reactions to different allergens.

  Advertisement
 Symptoms

Symptoms of an allergy to honeydew melon can crop up within minutes of eating it, or up to several hours later. Some of the first symptoms of a food allergy are often hives, rash, hoarse voice and wheezing. You may also experience abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea and itching of the mouth, throat, eyes or face. It is common to have shortness of breath, coughing or congestion.

  Advertisement
 
  Advertisement
 Allergic Reaction

Normally, your immune system defends against harmful substances, but when you have a food allergy, your body is recognizing the food as a toxin, and responding at full force. The body creates immunoglobulin E antibodies to a particular food and releases histamine. Histamine is responsible for many of the symptoms of a food allergy — such as runny nose and itchy, watery eyes.

  Advertisement
 
  Advertisement
  
  references
  
      FAAN: Other Allergies
    
      Allergy Net: Melon
    
      Pub Med: Food Allergy
     Is this an emergency?
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the
National Library of Medicine’s list
of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.





  references
  
      FAAN: Other Allergies
    
      Allergy Net: Melon
    
      Pub Med: Food Allergy

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

Honeydew melon causes allergies in some people.

Image Credit: margouillatphotos/iStock/Getty Images

Image Credit: margouillatphotos/iStock/Getty Images

      FAAN: Other Allergies
    
      Allergy Net: Melon
    
      Pub Med: Food Allergy